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[untiltheend]

This is Sebastian Michaelis. I am unavailable at present, but please leave a message. Should a response be needed I will reply when time permits me. Please do keep your message brief.

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[untiltheend]

"I do hope you know I can handle myself. But if the situation is such that even I require assistance... please leave it with Mr Archer."

Trevor is probably Sebastian's favourite warden, but, in the end, he's only human. Sebastian's smile widens.

"Do have a pleasant trip. Will that be all?"

Go die in a fire.

[reformedsinner]

"That's all I had to tell you," Hakkai murmurs. "But you seem a little annoyed...."

[untiltheend]

"Do I, now."

He laughs, very softly.

"Well, should that be the case, surely it is completely unwarranted."

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai translates that as I'm furious and I don't think you're taking this seriously enough, and raises one eyebrow.

"Well," he murmurs, "although I wouldn't call your feelings unwarranted, I trust your ability to continue working towards your graduation during my temporary absence...."

[untiltheend]

"Oh, of course I will be well able to."

No, he's not the least bit placated.

"Will that be all, then?"

He's sure Hakkai has a lot of packing to get done!

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai considers him for a long, thoughtful moment.

"Yes," he says at last, instead of all the other things he might have chosen. Sebastian is an inmate and can't go with them; it only makes sense for him to resent it, no matter his motivations for doing so. Hakkai plans to return to the Barge even if he dies, but it's not without risk. It's simply something he has to do.

So, arguing about it would be pointless. He scoots his chair back and stands with a polite half-bow.

[untiltheend]

"Very good."

Sebastian too stands, and returns the half-bow.

"Thank you for all your efforts, then, should we end up not seeing each other again."

He knows how it goes with these 'I'm going back home but I'm coming back, promise' excuses.

[reformedsinner]

"I've taken precautions, but anything can happen," Hakkai murmurs gently. "Here or elsewhere. So: should that happen, thank you for all yours, Sebastian."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian scoffs-- as if his efforts have amounted to anything, when he's still stuck here?

"As you say." Liar. "I shall leave you to your preparations, then."

[reformedsinner]

Progress isn't always measured by success; it takes time. But Hakkai does understand Sebastian's frustrated perfectionism.

Because he understands, he simply bows again, and smiles slightly as he straightens up.

"Please don't worry that I won't return," he murmurs. "I'm very stubborn."

[untiltheend]

"Mm, is that not contradicting what you said just now, about how anything might happen?"

He half-turns to look at Hakkai.

"Considering you are not the first... hm, in fact, you are the third Warden to make such promises, please forgive me my doubts."

[reformedsinner]

"It's possible that I'll be killed and the Admiral will lose track of my soul," Hakkai says after a moment. "I'm not fully in control of those risks. But those are both risks that exist whether or not I stay here on board with you.

"And I don't want to go back to live in my world, not even when I'm ready. It's simply that there is a task I'm obligated to complete."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian tilts his head.

"You realise you need not justify your decisions to me, yes? I am hardly in a position to chain you to this place."

[reformedsinner]

"You realize that I also have an obligation to you, I hope," Hakkai points out; he's standing next to his chair, one hand resting light as a butterfly on its back as he watches Sebastian.

"Preexisting obligations don't invalidate later ones. So, although I will be gone for a short time, I would have to be both dead and abandoned by the Admiral not to come back. And I want you to know I do take my obligation to you that seriously."

[untiltheend]

Sebastian's smile remains fixed in place as Hakkai speaks, and for several long moments after he's done.

Hrrm. That level of commitment is... acceptable, perhaps. Even so, proclaiming something is easy; actually living up to one's promises is another thing alltogether.

After a few long moments, Sebastian's smile... doesn't disappear, but at least it softens.

"...Thank you, sir. I appreciate the assurance."

He's still angry, but. less so.

[reformedsinner]

Hakkai ducks his head in a small bow. Claiming something is easier than living up to it, and while he's spoken to the Admiral already... he can only hope he won't be made a liar.

"I'll see you soon."